Wusiheite – a potential gamechanger for germanium exploration D id you know that, each year, roughly 90 to 110 new mineral species are officially identified and approved worldwide? The total count of recognised valid minerals could encourage exploration for previously unrecognised germanium-rich mineralisation by showing that germanium can occur in exceptionally concentrated, discrete mineral phases.
stands above 6 100, and the International Mineralogical Association through its CNMNC commission oversees these validations. Over the past two years several new minerals have been identified, with the most recent exciting news for the mining industry being a new germanium-rich mineral called Wusiheite, which contains about 72% GeO₂. Wusiheite is currently known only from its type locality at the Wusihe lead-zinc deposit located in southwest China’s Sichuan Province. It is important to note that while the mineral contains ~72% GeO₂ this does not mean the Wusihe deposit contains 72% GeO₂. Because it was only officially approved by the International Mineralogical Association (IMA) in August 2026, its known global distribution is limited exclusively to this single discovery site. However, the geological implications stretch worldwide. Germanium has important semiconductor applications, including high-frequency and specialised electronic devices. Industrial uses data transmission; Night- vision and thermal-imaging lenses; Solar cells: used as a substrate in high-efficiency multijunction solar cells for satellites and space applications; Semiconductors: used in high-frequency electronics and transistors, and in polymer catalysts: used to produce clear PET plastics. The discovery adds to China's already substantial geological and industrial position in the germanium supply chain. However, for the world, it escalates supply chain anxieties: The US Geological Survey identifies germanium as a critical mineral, while the European Union classifies it as both a critical raw material and a strategic raw material. The discovery could reinforce existing efforts in Europe, and elsewhere, to diversify germanium supply through alternative mining, processing and recycling. So, what does this discovery mean for the industry at large? It spurs exploration elsewhere and include fibre optics where germanium is used in silica- based optical fibres to help control their refractive properties, enabling high-speed
Apart from Wusiheite, recent mineral finds include Jinxiuite (a novel nickel- bismuth compound found in southern China), Grahampearsonite (a deep-earth mineral discovered inside a diamond from Brazil), and three new minerals (Raydemarkite, Virgilluethite, and Stunorthropite) uncovered in Cookes Peak, Luna County, New Mexico. While new finds are great, old favourites on the homefront are keeping our miners happy. Over the past year, the platinum group metals (PGM) sector has staged a strong financial and operational recovery, supported by higher PGM prices, resilient production and improved market conditions. This includes Northam Holdings, which reported record FY2026 production, while its interim results showed a substantial improvement in profitability, driven by stronger PGM prices and higher sales. Valterra Platinum reported a record financial
surge, with headline earnings per share
Wusiheite is currently known only from its type locality at the Wusihe lead-zinc deposit located in southwest China’s Sichuan Province.
skyrocketing 1 633% to R82.02 for the first half of the year. Gold miners are also scoring big time, with DRDGOLD expecting earnings and headline earnings per share to increase by
Nelendhre Moodley.
between 85% and 95% for the year ended 30 June 2026, as
Editor: Nelendhre Moodley e-mail: mining@crown.co.za Business Development Manager: Angela Devenish e-mail: angelad@crown.co.za Design & Layout: Ano Shumba Publisher: Karen Grant
production exceeded guidance.
In this edition Modern Mining spoke to Ongwe Minerals, which is looking to unlock gold opportunities in Namibia (pg 12), Fortuna Metals as it targets rutile and graphite production by 2029 (pg 16), Cementation Africa, which is poised for growth (pg 20), Bosch Rexroth Africa, which celebrates sixty years in business – the company is gearing up for its next growth chapter (pg 38) and Redpath Mining South Africa as it delivers on key platinum projects for Northam Platinum. In mid-July, the South African platinum group metals producer celebrated the opening of the world's deepest raise-bored shaft at its Zondereinde mine in the Bushveld Complex. Redpath Mining South Africa played a key role in the delivery of this project (pg 28). n
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2 MODERN MINING www.modernminingmagazine.co.za | SEPTEMBER 2026
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